LaCie 119 user manual What does labeling involve?

LaCie 119 Monitor	Foreword
User’s Manual	page 5

Congratulations! You have just purchased a TCO’99 approved and labeled product! Your choice has provided you with a product developed for professional use. Your purchase has also contributed to reducing the burden on the environ- ment andto the further development of environmentally adapt- ed electronics products.

Why do we have environmentally labeled computers? In many countries, environmental labeling has become an established method for encouraging the adaptation of goods and services to the environment. The main problem, as far as computers and other electronics equipment are concerned, is that

environmentally harmful substances are used both in the prod- ucts and during the manufacturing. Since it has not been pos- sible for the majority of electronics equipment to be recycled in a satisfactory way, most of these potentially damaging sub- stances sooner or later enter Nature. There are also other characteristics of a computer, such as energy consumption lev- els, that are important from the viewpoints of both the work (internal) and natural (external) environments. Since all meth- ods of conventional electricity generation have a negative effect on the environment (acidic and climate-influencing emis- sions, radioactive waste, etc.), it is vital to conserve energy. Electronics equipment in offices consume an enormous amount of energy since they are often left running continuously.

What does labeling involve?

This product meets the requirements for international and envi- ronmental labeling of personal computers. The requirements cover a wide range of issues, including: environment, ergonomics, usability, emission of electrical and magnetic fields, energy consumption and electrical and fire safety. The environmental demands concern restrictions on the presence and use of heavy metals, brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, CFCs (freons) and chlorinated solvents, among other things. The product must be prepared for recycling and

the manufacturer is obliged to have an envi-

ronmental plan which must be adhered to in each country where the company imple- ments its operational policy. The energy requirements include a demand that the

computer and/or display, after a certain period of inactivity, shall reduce its power consumption to a lower level in one or more stages. The length of time to reactivate the computer shall be reasonable for the user. Labeled products must meet strict environmental demands, for example, in respect of the reduction of electric and magnetic fields, physical and visual ergonomics and good usability.

Environmental Requirements

Flame retardants

Flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables, wires, casings and housings. In turn, they delay the spread of fire. Up to thirty percent of the plastic in a computer casing can consist of flame retardant substances. Most flame retar- dants contain bromine or chloride and these are related to another group of environmental toxins, PCBs, which are sus- pected to give rise to severe health effects, including reproduc- tive damage in fisheating birds and mammals, due to the bioaccumulative* processes. Flame retardants have been found in human blood and researchers fear that disturbances in fetus development may occur. Plastic components weighing more than 25 grams must not contain flame retardants with organically bound chlorine and bromine. Flame retardants are allowed in the printed circuit boards since no substitutes are available.

Lead**

Lead can be found in picture tubes, display screens, solders and capacitors. Lead damages the nervous system and in higher doses, causes lead poisoning.

TCO’99 requirement permits the inclusion of lead since no replacement has yet been developed.